When's the last time you set foot in Dunbar Hall? Most students in WMU’s School of Arts and Sciences have spent hours there. If you were one of them, you might not recognize this workhorse of a building right now.
Built in 1971, Dunbar Hall is undergoing a $40 million renovation. The five-story, 78,000-square-foot structure has been gutted to make way for some big changes. “With many features, the renovation will include active-learning classrooms, a dance studio which will overlook Miller Plaza, and a cutting-edge podcast and broadcasting suite,” President Edward Montgomery said in an interview with WIN 98.5.
As one of the most heavily used classroom buildings on campus, Dunbar was developed (along with Friedman and Knauss Halls) in response to a booming enrollment at WMU in the 1960s. The building was named after Dr. Willis F. Dunbar, late professor of history. Dunbar worked at WMU from 1951 to 1970 in the history department, taking on the role of chairman from 1960 to 1967. Known as both informative and personable, Dunbar’s legacy endures through the numerous books he authored. His findings, research and writing are housed in WMU’s Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
A New Era for Dunbar Hall
The new Dunbar Hall will have an interior that meets today’s contemporary educational needs. “Nearly every undergraduate student, regardless of major, will take a class in Dunbar during their time at WMU,” said Dr. Carla Koretsky, College of Arts and Sciences dean. “Classrooms will be designed for active, hands-on learning that will advance our mission of igniting and sustaining a passion for learning and discovery in the humanities, social sciences and sciences.”
Western has partnered with Tower Pinkster and HGA to build a state-of-the-art, 21st century learning environment at Dunbar. The project will include reconfigured classroom layouts, student workspaces, and major technology upgrades for teaching and learning. In addition to the architectural renovations, the existing utility infrastructure will be upgraded to maximize energy efficiency and better align with WMU’s sustainability mission.
Check out some of the pics below for a “then and now” snapshot of Dunbar. You can also visit wmich.edu/capitalprojects/dunbarrenovation to learn more.
